Multipurpose hand tool

ABSTRACT

A hand-held multipurpose tool includes an elongated handle fixed to and axially-aligned with a frame, about which is rotatably mounted a tubular housing having finishing means thereon for finishing a surface. A motor is mounted on the frame within the housing for rotating axially the housing relative to the frame. The motor has an output shaft drivingly connected to the housing and to a tool attaching member disposed at the outside of the front end portion of the housing, the member being adapted to receive and drive an auxiliary tool, such as a drill bit. The finishing means on the housing may be used for sanding or buffing the surface, and radial openings are provided in the tubular housing to permit air to be drawn past and into contact with the motor for cooling purposes by a fan blade and to enable the air to be driven through the openings and radially outwardly through the porous finishing means to remove continuously sanding or buffing residue.

United States Patent [1 1 Drzewiecki MULTIPURPOSE HAND TOOL Edward R. Drzewiecki, 1751 E. 93rd St., Chicago, 111. 60617 22 Filed: Aug. 15, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 497,591

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 51/170 PT; 51/206 P; 51/266;

51/356 [51] Int. Cl. B24B 23/00 [58] Field of Search 51/170 R, 170 PT, 170 J,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,438,443 12/1922 Lieberherr 51/170 R 1,834,059 12/1931 Hopkins 51/170 PT 2,202,285 5/1940 Dunnam 15/23 2,599,785 6/1952 Sax 51/356 3,145,511 8/1964 Bird 51/266 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 607,510 1958 Italy 51/170 T 658,090 1938 Germany 51/170 R J .4-1 To? ml 23 110 67 14 41146 17o1 T 112 I my m2 m1 2? i 197 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Bernard L. Kleinke; Thomas W. Speckman; Leonard J. Kalinowski [57] ABSTRACT A hand-held multipurpose tool includes an elongated handle fixed to and axially-aligned with a frame, about which is rotatably mounted a tubular housing having finishing means'thereon for finishing a surface. A motor is mounted on the frame within the housing for rotating axially the housing relative to the frame. The motor has an output shaft drivingly connected to the housing and to a tool attaching member disposed at the outside of the front end portion of the housing, the member being adapted to receive and drive an auxiliary tool, such as a drill bit. The finishing means on the housing may be used for sanding or buffing the surface, and radial openings are provided in the tubular housing to permit air to be drawn past and into contact with the motor for cooling purposes by a fan blade and to enable the air to be driven through the openings and radially outwardly through the porous finishing means to remove continuously sanding or buffing residue.

10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,907,257

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,907,257

ws aw \MN M N W m m5 mi QSN .w e NwN WNN RQAN 9mm bMNNNN WM Kb 9% EFL SL L N MULTIPURPOSE HAND TOOL The present invention relates to a multipurpose hand-held tool, and it more particularly relates to a hand-held tool which may serve as a buffer, sander, drill or other type of power tool.

Multipurpose hand tools have been employed so that the user can conveniently perform different types and kinds of tasks in a convenient manner with a single tool. For example, in US. Pat. No. 1,438,443 to Lieberherr et al, there is disclosed a hand tool which includes an electric motor mounted within a driven shell and having a pair of axially aligned handles, whereby the user may hold the two handles with his hands and the motor drives the shell rotatably mounted and axially aligned between the two handles for spraying water by centrifugal force to clean walls or perform other such work. A set of gears and a gear shift are provided to enable the one handle to be driven so that an additional tool, such as a drill bit may be secured thereto, whereby after shifting the gears, the user may support the tool by holding one handle and grasping the shell to maintain it in a stationary position with the other hand so that the motor can drive the other handle with the drill bit attached thereto. However, such a multipurpose tool is not at all convenient to use in that the user must hold the tool with two hands and thus such a tool may not be conveniently used to reach certain remote locations. As an example, it would be highly desirable to have such a multipurpose tool which serves to buffer the outer surface of an automobile roof when waxing it in such a manner that the user can readily and conveniently position the tool at a distance from himself in operating engagement with the surface to be buffed. Similarly, it would be highly desirable to have such a multipurpose tool which could be used to drive auxiliary tools, such as drill bits, without the necessity of requiring the user to hold the multipurpose tool with two hands in an awkward manner as in the US. Pat. No. 1,438,443. Also, such a multipurpose tool should be simplified to use and inexpensive to manufacture, and in this regard, it would be desirable to eliminate the necessity of providing a gear shift mechanism.

Accordingly, the principle object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved multipurpose tool, which does not require the user to support the tool in two hands in an awkward manner, and which does not need a gear shift mechanism to shift between one set of gears for one use and another set of gears for another use.

Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a multipurpose tool including a single elongated handle adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user to support completely the tool, and having a driving means mounted on a frame fixed to the handle within a tubular housing surrounding and axially aligned with the frame, the housing being adapted to finish a surface. The housing is rotatably mounted on the frame to rotate axially relative thereto, and an output shaft of the driving means is connected drivingly to the housing for rotating it about its axis. A free distal end portion of the shaft extends forwardly and is adapted to receive and to drive an auxiliary tool, such as a drill bit. A plurality of radiallyextending openings extend through the tubular housing. and a fan is drivingly coupled to the output shaft for blowing air radially outward through the openings to remove any residue from the finishing of the surface, suchas powdered residue produced during polishing and buffing during the waxing of the surface to be finished. A closure member at the rear end portion of the housing is provided with a plurality of holes extending therethrough to permit air to be drawn through the holes past and into contact with the driving means for cooling it by means of the fan.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood upon a reading of the following specification taken in view of the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the multipurpose hand tool constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing it in one of its uses;

FIG. 2 is a compound elevational view of the tool of FIG. 1, illustrating it with portions thereof broken away for sake of clarity; 1

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 33 thereof;

'FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 66 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the tool of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 77 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a guide of the tool of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another attachment for the tool of FIG. 2, portions thereof being broken away for illustration purposes; and

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the tool of FIG. 2 being utilized for other purposes.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-8 thereof, there is shown a multipurpose hand tool 10, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, and which is shown in FIG. 1 being used as a buffer for polishing and buffing the roof of an automobile 12 during the waxing thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the tool 10 may be supported with one hand by the user and can be conveniently used to finish a surface, such as the roof of the automobile 12, by enabling the user to reach a remote location and press the tool into operating engagement with the surface to be finished in a convenient manner. The tool 10 generally comprises a tubular buffer attachment 14 which surrounds an elongated frame generally indicated at 16 having a tubular handle 18 through which extends a line cord 20 for driving means generally indicated at 21 having an electric motor 22 for driving axially a tubular housing 23 which is surrounded by and carries the attachment 14, whereby the motor 22 drives the attachment 14 to cause it to rotate about its axis for buffing or polishing a surface. A washer 24 secures the attachment 14 in place by means of a wing nut 25 threaded onto a driven shaft 26 and tightened against the washer 24, the driven shaft 26 being driven via an output shaft 27 of the motor 22 via reduction gears generally indicated at 29. A set of screws, such as the screw 30, fastens the rear end of the attachment 14 to the frame 16. The opposite end (not shown) of the electrical cord 20 is adapted to be connected electrically to a source of alternating current for powering the motor 22, it being understood that a switch (not shown) may be provided in series with the line cord 20 and that the motor may be a DC motor and the cord 20 adapted to be plugged into a cigarette lighter of an automobile for being energized by a battery of the automobile.

As shown in FIGS. 9 through 12, the tool 10 may be used for other purposes. As shown in FIG. 9, an abrasive attachment 31 may be used in place of the buffer attachment 14, the attachment 31 generally comprising a tubular frame 31A being covered with emery cloth fabric material 318. The tool 10 may also be used for drilling purposes as shown in FIG. 10, and in this regard, a chuck 32 may be provided and threaded onto the end portion of the driven shaft 26 for holding a drill bit 34, the washer 24 and the wing nut 25 not being needed for this application. When used for drilling purposes as shown in FIG 10, the motor 22 drives the shaft 26 via the reduction gears 29, and the tool 10 is held in one hand by the handle 18 to support the tool in an operating position, it being understood that there is no need for shifting any gears or otherwise prepare the tool 10 for utilizing any of the auxiliary tools shown in FIGS. 9 through 12 or other tools which may be attached to the driven shaft 26. As shown in FIG. 11, a honing tool 36 may be attached to the driven shaft 26 by means of the chuck 32, and as shown in FIG. 12, a grinding wheel 33 may be attached directly to the driven shaft 26 against the housing 23 by means of the wing nut 25 tightened on the shaft 26 against the washer 24 disposed between the wheel 38 and the nut 25, it being understood that the housing 23 rotates with the shaft 26 at the same speed and thus it is possible to attach a tool in the manner as shown in FIG. 12. Other types and kinds of auxiliary tools may be employed as will become apparent to those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention.

Considering now the tool 10 in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8 of the drawings, the frame 16 includes a rear end block 42 integrally connected to the handle 18, a front block 44 for supporting the electrical motor 22 between the blocks 42 and 44 by means of stud bolts, such as the bolt 46 extending through a hole 48 and an aligned hole 50 in the laminated armature piece 52 and threaded into an internally threaded hole 54 of the rear end block 42, a nut 56 being threaded onto a front threaded end portion 58 of the bolt 46 and being tightened against the front block 44 of the frame 16. A centrally-apertured cylindrical cup-shaped member 61 loosely receives and surrounds the rear end portion of the driven shaft 26 and is fastened to the front block 44 by a plurality of screws, such as the screw 63. A larger diameter cylindrical cup-shaped member 65 has a rearwardly opening rim 67 and is rotatably mounted about a forwardlyextending hub or boss 69 of the member 61 by means ofa bearing 71. A central hole 73 of the member 65 receives loosely the shaft 26. A key 75 on the member 65 fits in a keyway slot 77 in the shaft 26 to enable the shaft 26 to drive the member 65, and a washer 79 is held in place by a radially-extending set screw 82 to prevent axial movement of the member 65 relative to the shaft 26. A threaded end portion 85 of the shaft 26 extends axially forwardly beyond the member 65 to drive the auxiliary tools as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.

Considering now the driving means 21 in greater detail, the line cord includes a pair of conductors 86 and 88, which extend through holes, such as the hole 91 in the rear end block 42, for powering the motor 22.

The motor 22 includes a rotor 93 having the forwardlyextending output shaft 27 journaled for rotation by a wick-type self-aligning bearing 95 mounted within a central opening 97 of the block 44. A similar wick-type self-aligning bearing 99 is mounted within a central opening 100 of the rear end block 42 for journaling for rotation a rearwardly-extending shaft 101 from the rotor 93. The block 42 includes a rearwardly-extending boss 103 integrally connecting the handle 18 and the main portion of the block 42 for carrying a bearing 105 for rotatably supporting a centrally-apertured end plate 107, the screws, such as the screw 30 being threaded into the end face of the plate 107 and a plurality of screws, such as the screw 109 fastening the housing 23 to the end plate 107 to rotatably support the housing on the frame 16. A plurality of screws, such as the screw 110, near the front end portion of the tubular housing 23 to the larger diameter member 23, both the screws 109 and 110 being fastened into counter-sunk holes.

The armature 52 includes a winding 112 which is wound in a conventional manner. For powering the motor, a pair of brushes 114 and 116 engage the segments 1 18 in a conventional manner, and a pair of conductors 86 and 88 of the electrical line cord 20 extending through the handle 18 are electrically connected respectively to the pair of conductive sleeves 120 and 122 having bores, such as the bore 124 in the sleeve 120 for receiving slidably the brush 114 urged by a spring 128 into engagement with the segments 118 and seated against an adjustment screw 131 threaded into the outer end of the sleeve 120. A pair of insulating sleeves 133 and 135 surround the respective inner conductive sleeves 120 and 122 to insulate them from the oppositely-disposed bosses 137 and 139 of the rear end block 42. The reduction gears 29 include a pinion 142 integrally formed on the distal end portion of the output shaft 26 meshing with a larger gear 144 for reduction purposes. A jackshaft 146 journaled for rotation at its opposite ends between the front block 44 and the cup-shaped member 61 supports and is fixed to the gear 144 and an idler gear 148 which meshes with another idler gear 151 fixed to the rear end of the shaft 26.

Considering now the attachment 14 in greater detail with particular reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the attachment 44 includes a porous tube 153 composed of a somewhat stiff fabric material with a fuzzy tufted outer surface 154 to be used for buffing purposes. At the opposite ends of the tube 153 inwardly bent end portions 155 and 157 are clamped by the washer 24 and fastened with the screws, such as the screw 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, in accordance with the present invention a fan blade 159 is fixed by means of a screw 162 to the shaft 27 between the rotor 93 and the bearing 95 to move air radially outwardly to a plurality of holes, such as the hole 164 having an inwardly struck baffle or tab 166, in the housing 23 for guiding air through the porous tube 153 for blowing away any residue which may form during a buffing operation. The holes, such as the hole 164 may be square or rectangular in shape, or it may be semi-circular in shape. A plenum chamber or space 168 is provided between the driving means 21 and the housing 23 to receive the air from the fan blade 159 and distribute it to the holes in the housing 23. A guide member 170 composed of metal material serves to facilitate the directing of air radially outward to the plenum chamber 168. The guide 170 is generally annular in shape having a pair of U-shaped rearwardly extending portions 170A and 1708 for receiving leg portions 44A and 448 respectively of the front block 44. The U-shaped portions include a pair of holes, such as the hole 170C, for receiving the pair of stud bolts, such as the stud bolt 46. A pair of C-shaped rearwardlyextending flanges 170D and 170E antegrally connected to the guide 170 facilitate the directing of the air in a radially outwardly movement. The motor 22, the fan blade 159 and the guide 170 may be purchased from 'Lexel Industries, Inc. of Hutsonville, Illinois.

in order to draw air into the interior of the housing 23 for cooling the motor 22 by means of the fan blade 159, a plurality of inwardly canted holes, such as the holes 172 and 174, in the end plate 107 guide air into the interior of the housing 23 and into a plurality of holes, such as the holes 176 and 178 inclined toward the axis of the tool 10, whereby the air is drawn over the motor 22 for cooling purposes and then to the fan blade 159 for moving it radially outwardly to the plenum chamber 168 to be distributed to the holes in the housing 23.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a novel and useful improvement in multipurpose hand tools of the character described herein. The arrangement and types of structural components utilized within the invention may be subject to numerous modifications well within the purview of this invention and it is intended only to be limited to a liberal interpretation of the specification and appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool adapted to finish a surface and adapted to be used alternatively for driving an auxiliary tool means, comprising:

a single elongated rearwardly-extending handle adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user to support completely the tool and having front and rear end portions;

frame means fixed to and axially-aligned with said front end portion of said handle;

a tubular housing surrounding and axially aligned with said frame, said housing having too] means on the outer surface thereof for finishing the surface;

means for mounting rotatably said housing on said frame means to rotate axially relative thereto;

driving means mounted on said frame means substantially within said tubular housing for rotating axially said housing relative to said frame means, said driving means having a forwardly-extending output shaft;

means for connecting drivingly an intermediate portion of said output shaft to said housing means; and

a free distal end portion of said shaft extending forwardly for receiving directly and for driving directly the auxiliary tool means.

2. A tool according to claim 1, further including attaching means disposed forwardly of and beyond said frame means for connecting said distal end portion and the auxiliary tool means.

3. A tool according to claim 2, further including means defining a plurality of radial openings extending through said tubular housing and said tool means, fan means drivingly coupled to said output shaft for blowing air radially outwardly through said openings, said means thereon for finishing being porous to permit the air to pass therethrough.

4. A tool according to claim 3, further including a closure member at the rear end portion of said housing, said closure member having means defining a plurality of holes extending therethrough to permit air to be drawn through said holes past and into contact with said driving means for cooling it and from said driving means out said openings.

5. A tool according to claim 4, further including means for mounting said drive means within said housing intermediate said ends in the path of travel of air moving forwardly from said holes.

6. A tool according to claim 4, further including guiding means fixed to said frame means for directing air from said driving means radially outwardly to said openings.

7. A tool according to claim 6, wherein said handle is tubular in shape and has an axial opening extending throughout the length of said handle, said driving means including an electric motor having a power supply cord extending therefrom through said handle, further including reduction gears interposed between said output shaft and said housing and said attaching means disposed outside of said tubular housing.

8. A tool according to claim 3, further including guiding means fixed to said frame means for directing air from said driving means radially outwardly to said openings.

9. A tool according to claim 3, further including a plurality of unidirection scooping means for enabling air to enter said openings from said fan means.

10. A tool according to claim 9, wherein said scooping means includes a plurality of inwardly-extending struck-out tab p'ortions. 

1. A tool adapted to finish a surface and adapted to be used alternatively for driving an auxiliary tool means, comprising: a single elongated rearwardly-extending handle adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user to support completely the tool and having front and rear end portions; frame means fixed to and axially-aligned with said front end portion of said handle; a tubular housing surrounding and axially aligned with said frame, said housing having tool means on the outer surface thereof for finishing the surface; means for mounting rotatably said housing on said frame means to rotate axially relative thereto; driving means mounted on said frame means substantially within said tubular housing for rotating axially said housing relative to said frame means, said driving means having a forwardlyextending output shaft; means for connecting drivingly an intermediate portion of said output shaft to said housing means; and a free distal end portion of said shaft extending forwardly for receiving directly and for driving directly the auxiliary tool means.
 2. A tool according to claim 1, further including attaching means disposed forwardly of and beyond said frame means for connecting said distal end portion and the auxiliary tool means.
 3. A tool according to claim 2, further including means defining a plurality of radial openings extending through said tubular housing and said tool means, fan means drivingly coupled to said output shaft for blowing air radially outwardly through said openings, said means thereon for finishing being porous to permit the air to pass therethrough.
 4. A tool according to claim 3, further including a closure member at the rear end portion of said housing, said closure member having means defining a plurality of holes extending therethrough to permit air to be drawn through said holes past and into contact with said driving means for cooling it and from said driving means out said openings.
 5. A tool according to claim 4, further including means for mounting said drive means within said housing intermediate said ends in the path of travel of air moving forwardly from said holes.
 6. A tool according to claim 4, further including guiding means fixed to said frame means for directing air from said driving means radially outwardly to said openings.
 7. A tool according to claim 6, wherein said handle is tubular in shape and has an axial opening extending throughout the length of said handle, said driving means including an electric motor having a power supply cord extending therefrom through said handle, further including reduction gears interposed between sAid output shaft and said housing and said attaching means disposed outside of said tubular housing.
 8. A tool according to claim 3, further including guiding means fixed to said frame means for directing air from said driving means radially outwardly to said openings.
 9. A tool according to claim 3, further including a plurality of unidirection scooping means for enabling air to enter said openings from said fan means.
 10. A tool according to claim 9, wherein said scooping means includes a plurality of inwardly-extending struck-out tab portions. 